Latest news with #BuckleyBelanger
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Governments of Canada and British Columbia connecting more than 7,700 households to high-speed Internet and bringing mobile connectivity to remote areas Français
Investment from the federal and provincial governments will bring high-speed Internet access to more than 100 communities and mobile coverage to two First Nations communities. ARMSTRONG, BC, July 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Reliable and affordable high-speed Internet is essential for all Canadians. It enables access to important online resources, connects friends and families, and drives economic growth and innovation. Today, the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development), together with the Honourable Diana Gibson, British Columbia's Minister of Citizens' Services, announced over $77 million in combined federal and provincial funding for 15 projects to bring high-speed Internet access to over 6,900 households in rural and remote communities across British Columbia, including over 1,200 Indigenous households. In addition to these jointly funded projects, the Government of Canada is investing $7 million in three projects that will provide 727 households in the communities of Spallumcheen (Splatsin First Nation) and Hullcar with access to high-speed Internet and bring cellular connectivity to over 120 kilometres of road. The funding recipients for these projects are CityWest Cable & Telephone Corp. and TELUS Communications Inc. The combined federal and provincial funding commitments made today are part of an existing agreement between the governments of Canada and British Columbia. In March 2022, those governments announced a historic partnership —creating the Connecting Communities BC program—to invest up to $830 million to provide households in all remaining rural, remote and Indigenous communities throughout the province with access to high-speed Internet. The Government of Canada's investment is provided through the Universal Broadband Fund, a program designed to ensure that Canadians in rural, remote and Indigenous communities have access to reliable high-speed Internet. The program also allocated up to $50 million in funding for mobile projects that primarily benefit Indigenous communities. The federal government remains on track to meet its goal of providing high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadian households by 2026, and 100% by 2030. With these investments, the government is helping to create new opportunities for rural and remote communities while ensuring that all Canadians, no matter where they live, have full access to high-speed Internet and reliable mobile connectivity, enabling them to participate in the digital economy and benefit from everything Canada has to offer. Quotes "In today's day and age, every corner of British Columbia should have access to reliable, affordable high-speed Internet, whether that's in Echo Bay or Ocean Falls. Today's announcement is a major milestone, and investments like these make a real difference in people's lives, creating jobs, improving access to health care and online learning services, and keeping us connected to our loved ones." – The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development) "Today's announcement is about giving people the tools they need to succeed in a digital world, no matter where they live. The Province is pleased to be working in partnership with the federal government to provide high-speed Internet access to families, businesses and Indigenous communities throughout British Columbia." – The Honourable Diana Gibson, British Columbia's Minister of Citizens' Services "Today's announcement is a milestone for improved connectivity in more underserved communities across the province. CityWest's fibre-to-the-home projects will bring residents urban-class connectivity, creating equal opportunities for more rural, remote and Indigenous British Columbians. We would like to express our thanks to the Province of British Columbia and the federal government for their vision to ensure that these communities are able to unlock their connectivity destiny." – Stefan Woloszyn, Chief Executive Officer of CityWest Cable & Telephone Corp. "TELUS is proud to be a trusted partner to Canada's federal and provincial governments for nation-building projects like this broadband and wireless expansion, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to making investments that strengthen communities. TELUS remains steadfast in our commitment to building Canada, having invested more than $276 billion since 2000, with billions more planned over the next five years. Our bold, future-focused approach continues to drive digital inclusion and create opportunities for Canadians in communities of all sizes." – Jill Schnarr, Chief Communications and Brand Officer of TELUS Communications Inc. Quick facts Canada's Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload. The Universal Broadband Fund is a $3.225 billion investment by the Government of Canada designed to help provide high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadian households by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% access by 2030. Today, 95.8% of Canadian households have access to high-speed Internet, compared to just 79% in 2014. In British Columbia, nearly 96% of households currently have access to high-speed Internet. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $573 million in connectivity projects in British Columbia. Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit people and gender-diverse individuals are more likely to go missing or be murdered than non-Indigenous women. Better connectivity means more tools in moments of danger, enabling victims of violence to access critical online resources and get help when they need it most. The Government of Canada works in partnership with Internet service providers (ISP) to offer discounted Internet services to eligible Canadians through the Connecting Families Initiative. TELUS is a participating ISP. The Canada Infrastructure Bank has committed more than $2 billion toward broadband projects across Canada, allowing connectivity to expand at a quicker pace and on larger scale. Stay connected For easy access to government programs for businesses, download the Canada Business app. SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
/R E P E A T --Media advisory - Governments of Canada and British Columbia to make important announcement about high-speed Internet and mobile connectivity in the province/ Français
ARMSTRONG, BC, July 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development), together with the Honourable Diana Gibson, British Columbia's Minister of Citizens' Services, will make an announcement about improving high-speed Internet access and mobile connectivity in rural British Columbia. A media availability will follow. Date: Monday, July 28, 2025 Time: 10:30 am (PT) Location: Caravan Farm Theatre 4886 Salmon River Road Armstrong, British Columbia Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at [email protected] to confirm their attendance. Stay connected SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Media advisory - Governments of Canada and British Columbia to make important announcement about high-speed Internet and mobile connectivity in the province Français
ARMSTRONG, BC, July 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development), together with the Honourable Diana Gibson, British Columbia's Minister of Citizens' Services, will make an announcement about improving high-speed Internet access and mobile connectivity in rural British Columbia. A media availability will follow. Date: Monday, July 28, 2025 Time: 10:30 am (PT) Location: Caravan Farm Theatre 4886 Salmon River Road Armstrong, British Columbia Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at [email protected] to confirm their attendance. Stay connected SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Cision Canada
18-07-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Canada invests in the expansion of Saskatchewan Drug Treatment Courts Français
, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is providing up to $850,000 annually to support the operation of drug treatment courts (DTCs) by the Government and Courts of Saskatchewan. This funding has allowed the recent opening of the Battlefords Drug Treatment Court, which marks an expansion of existing DTCs in Regina and Moose Jaw to serve the Battlefords and west central Saskatchewan. This was made possible through Justice Canada's Drug Treatment Court Funding Program. The opening of the additional DTC was applauded by Buckley Belanger, Member of Parliament for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. The Government of Canada is committed to provide support to break the cycle of addiction without punishment. DTCs provide a way to mix justice with health care, giving treatment instead of punishment to those whose crimes are related to substance use. These courts aim to break the cycle of addiction and crime for eligible adult offenders. Quotes "Substance use is a complex social and economic issue. When someone is struggling, they deserve support and the right resources. By investing in Drug Treatment Courts, we are strengthening our justice system and helping people get the care they need to recover, break the cycle of drug use, and prevent criminal reoffending. This ongoing support for drug treatment courts not only promotes healing but helps build healthier and safer communities." The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency "Addiction shouldn't be a life sentence. The opening of the Battlefords Drug Treatment Court means more people in our region can get the help they need to break the cycle of substance use and build a better future. I'm proud that our federal government is supporting this important work." The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Member of Parliament for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River Secretary of State (Rural Development) "The opening of the Battlefords Drug Treatment Court represents another step forward for the strong partnership that the courts and province have built to support residents in overcoming addictions and mental health challenges. Together we can promote proactive and transformative change that gives individuals the skills they need to create a successful and sustainable future for themselves." Tim McLeod, K.C. Saskatchewan's Justice Minister and Attorney General "Drug treatment courts offer individuals a pathway in recovery rather than incarceration. This model of therapeutic justice provides an opportunity to address the underlying issues that bring people into conflict with the law and support lasting change that benefits not only the participants, but their families and communities." Chief Judge Shannon Metivier, Provincial Court of Saskatchewan Quick Facts - The Government of Canada is providing up to $850,000 annually to support the operation of drug treatment courts (DTCs) by the Government and Courts of Saskatchewan. - This federal funding for DTCs to the Government of Saskatchewan has been provided through Justice Canada's Drug Treatment Court Funding Program since 2023. - Justice Canada's Drug Treatment Court Funding Program provides contribution funding to the provinces and territories to implement drug treatment courts (DTCs). Associated links Stay connected Follow the Department of Justice Canada on X (formely Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Follow Minister Fraser on X (formerly Twitter): @MinJusticeEn. Subscribe to receive our news releases and more via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit Follow Saskatchewan Drug Treatment Courts on (Facebook), (X (formerly Twitter)), LinkedIn), and (YouTube). SOURCE Department of Justice Canada Contacts: For more information, media may contact: Lola Dandybaeva, Manager of Media Relations, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 343-549-0347, [email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]; Kerri Ward-Davis, Ministry of Justice, Saskatchewan, 306-787-8621, [email protected]; Christeen Shire, Courts of Saskatchewan, 306-787-9602, [email protected]
Cision Canada
15-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Setting a course for reliability: TELUS receives necessary approvals to deploy North Shore submarine cable
Burying a submarine fibre optic cable between Sept-Îles and the Gaspé Peninsula will bring critical connectivity - ensuring redundancy and network security between Baie-Comeau and Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon SEPT-ÎLES, QC, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ - TELUS is reaching an important milestone in its project to deploy a buried submarine cable between Sept-Îles and the Gaspé Peninsula, a major initiative originally announced in 2020. The required permits have been obtained following a consultation process with Indigenous communities and TELUS can now deploy the submarine cable, which is set to begin this fall. Commissioning of the cable is expected in the weeks following the deployment, future-proofing the communities in the face of increasingly severe weather events. "We are building infrastructure and deploying technology for more robust connectivity and the critical services this enables," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO at TELUS. "The new submarine fibre optic cable will significantly enhance the potency and resiliency of our networks, enabling public utilities to fulfil their mission, local businesses to take full advantage of digital opportunities and families to benefit from a powerful and reliable connection. Given the increasingly severe weather events posing greater risks to connectivity, this redundant infrastructure ensures first responders and families maintain critical communications when they need them most." This new, state-of-the-art link will ultimately improve the reliability of telecommunications services on the North Shore and Lower North Shore, thanks to improved redundancy. In the event of a break in the data transport network along Route 138 between Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles, the fibre optic cable will ensure continuity of Internet, TV, and wireline and wireless services to the region's communities. "Nowadays, the entire population of Quebec should have access to reliable and affordable high-speed Internet services," emphasizes the Secretary of State (Rural Development), the Honourable Buckley Belanger. "The federal government's investment, in collaboration with TELUS, will help improve network reliability for communities on the North Shore and Lower North Shore. This submarine project will create jobs, improve access to healthcare and online learning services, and maintain communication between people and their loved ones." This project is a continuation of TELUS efforts to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. TELUS plans to invest $70 billion in Canada by 2029. These funds will be used for infrastructure development, business expansion and spectrum licence acquisition. The regional proactivity of TELUS is also evident in its community involvement. Each year, the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation® donates tens of thousands of dollars to various organizations on the North Shore and the Lower North Shore that benefit young people. About TELUS TELUS (TSX: T) (NYSE: TU) is a world-leading communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 20 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. We are committed to leveraging our technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. Our TELUS Health business is enhancing more than 150 million lives across 200 countries and territories through innovative preventive medicine and well-being technologies. Our TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods business utilizes digital technologies and data insights to optimize the connection between producers and consumers. Guided by our enduring 'give where we live' philosophy, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $1.8 billion in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs including 2.4 million days of service since 2000, earning us the distinction of the world's most giving company. For more information, visit or follow @TELUSNews on X and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram. SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.
